UTC+4

Time Zone (MUT)

MRU

Currency

Left

Driving Side

230V

Electricity

No contrast between summer or winter time.

Clothes

With a tropical climate year-round, light breathable clothing for summer days like cotton or linen wear. It can be chilly in the evenings so include a cardigan or shawl.

In winter, warm outfits as it is colder in the central plateau. For boat trips or hiking, a
windbreaker, hoodie or scarf to brave the winds.

A light rain jacket and quick drying attires are advised during the rainy season (Dec-Apr). Comfortable sneakers/sandals, sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, hats and insect repellent for leisure activities are must-haves.

In most hotels and resorts, men are required to wear trousers and shirts for dinner at the restaurants.

Religious Sites

Do note in religious sites, revealing clothing is not allowed and shoes should be removed before entering (temples, mosques, kovils, pagodas). Modest clothing in cultural places as well.

Diverse clothing stores are available across the island for any essential clothing or gear required.

Currency & Tipping

The Mauritian Rupee (MRU) is the official currency for Mauritius and Rodrigues island. The banknotes are available in 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 rupees. While the coins are Rs1, Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20 and smaller cents. Banking hours are typically from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Only selective banks provide services on Saturdays with a reduced time frame. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays. ATMs ( Automatic Teller Machines) are available across the island for easy access. There are foreign exchange bureaus island-wide. Most hotels, some shopping malls, banks and the Mauritius Post Office Foreign Exchange (MPFE) also have foreign currency exchange counters. It is advised to use licensed dealers by the Bank of Mauritius and passports will be required for identification. Credit and debit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard) are accepted for payments. But it is recommended to carry some cash as card issues may arise. Additionally, not all premises adhere to card payments especially in markets or small shops. Being digitally connected, the option “ Scan to pay” is available as well in selective places.

Tipping Not compulsory.

Driving

Mauritius follows the British Driving System. So driving is on the left hand side of the road while giving way to the right. The steering wheel is on the right and all road signs are in English. Travelers can drive with an International Driving Permit (IDP) and must be 18 years or older. Countries who have an accord with Mauritius regarding their driving license can use theirs to drive. Confirmation should be made with their homeland’s Ministry of Transportation or the concerned authorised body for the sufficiency of the national driving license in Mauritius. The IDP is highly recommended though.

It is advised to take into consideration that most car rental companies require a minimum 21years old age for renting. Additionally, travellers should carry both the original license and the IDP when driving.

Also, seatbelts are obligatory for all passengers and children under 10 should be in the
backseat. Handheld mobile phones are prohibited during driving. Smoking is not allowed if there are other passengers in the car. The 0.05 % for legal blood alcohol concentration is the limit for drivers. But Zero tolerance for drinking and being under the influence when driving is enforced.

The speed limits are around 40 km/h in towns and villages, 80 km/h on open roads and 110 km/ on highways. Rush hours especially around Port Louis (capital city) and major cities are heavy between 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Caution is advised on rainy days as roads can be slippery.

Not all filling (petrol) stations operate on a 24/7 basis and while there are electric cars, only selective stations provide the charging options. So precautions are to be taken.

Electricity

The electricity voltage is 230 V with 50 Hz frequency. The power sockets have plug Type C (2 round pins) and Type G (3 rectangular pins). Though most hotels provide adapters, a universal travel adapter is advised.

Health & Safety

Safety

For a safer environment, Mauritius is amplifying its CCTV coverage across the island. Major coverage is already present in Grand Baie, Port Louis, Flic en Flac, Pereybere and Grand Gaube. Even most hotels/resorts have secured premises and trained security personnel.

The island is politically stable and basic precautionary measures are to be adhered to.

Health

On the health side, there are several private clinics and public hospitals. The citizens and residents of Mauritius benefit from free healthcare at the public hospitals but for foreigners a certain charge is applied. Medical care is more expensive at private clinics but with more comfort and faster service. Travel insurance is highly suggested to cover the expenses. At most of the resorts or hotels, medical assistance is provided for benign afflictions.

For vaccinations and current entry-health rules, it is recommended to check with the local embassy before departure on health policies for the global and local health circumstances. Yellow fever vaccination is needed for coming or transiting from high-risk countries.

Important Numbers

Save these numbers before your trip. Emergency services are accessible 24/7 across the island.

999 or 112

Police

148

Crime Stoppers

114

SAMU (Medical)

115

Fire Services

177

Coast Guard

General Information

  • Emergency Phone numbers — Police: 999 or 112, Crime Stoppers: 148, Samu: 114, Fire Services: 115, National Coast Guard: 177
  • Topless sunbathing or nudity is not allowed. Also no nudist beaches in Mauritius.
  • Non-citizen coming to get married to a Mauritian or celebrating their marriage here should fulfill all the requirements under the Civil Status Act.
  • Any person seeking employment or engaging in any gainful occupation should be holder of a valid residence and work permit issued by the Mauritian authorities. Entry will not be allowed otherwise.
  • Non-citizens coming to Mauritius for business must deal with the Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB) for Occupation Permit, residency by investment, investor visas, business set-up support or sector-specific support advice.
  • Intrusive photos, alcohol, smoking and loud conversations are not allowed in religious and cultural sites.
  • Respect local laws, culture and wildlife.
  • Mauritius has strict anti-drug laws.
  • Tourists/visitors are not allowed to engage in any gainful activities or apply for an extension of visa to follow studies/training courses.
  • Students are recommended to travel to Mauritius only after approval of their application for studies or training has been gained.
  • Before departure, tourists can claim VAT refunds on certain products bought in stores registered under the VAT Refund Scheme in Mauritius. Presentation of purchase receipt is required.

VISA

A visa is an official acknowledgement granted by the Immigration Office / Embassy / Consular of a nation. It is to allow a person to enter, stay for a specific period of time, transit or leave a country. After evaluation of all papers, it is up to the Immigration Officer to allow admittance of entrance and permission to stay for a distinct time frame on the island.
Visas and extension of stays are issued free of charge.

Details on types of visas, persons not requiring a visa to enter Mauritius and visa regulations in country-wise order are down below.

Custom Procedures

Upon arrival at the airport or port, travellers will undergo through immigration, baggage
collection and customs controls. For a quick process, the Green Channel is to be used if one has nothing to declare or any restricted or prohibited items in possession. While the Red Channel is to process dutiable items and restricted goods.

Any amount of money, jewellery, possessions close to MUR 500,00 or its equivalent in foreign currency must be declared.

Restricted goods (Non-exhaustive list)
  • Live or stuffed animals
  • Arms and ammunitions
  • Drugs and psychotropic substances
Prohibited goods (Non-exhaustive list)
  • Underwater fishing guns
  • Sugarcane cuttings and plants
  • Endangered species of plants and animals
  • Publications, films, records or video tapes of obscene character (Prohibited for commercial use)

Who Needs a Visa?

All persons coming from countries which are not exempted from visa requirements -Please refer to Visa Requirement Country-wise (See below).

All persons coming to Mauritius for purposes other than Tourism, Visit or Business need to apply for a visa/permit before undertaking any travel.

Visa Requirements Table
S/No Country Visa Requirement
1 Afghanistan Visa required prior to travel.
2 Albania Visa for sixty days on arrival
3 Algeria Visa for two weeks on arrival
4 Andorra Visa for sixty days on arrival
5 Angola No visa required
6 Antigua and Barbuda No visa required
7 Argentina No visa required
8 Armenia Visa for sixty days
9 Australia No visa required
10 Austria No visa required
11 Azerbaijan Visa for sixty days on arrival
12 Bahamas No visa required
13 Bahrain No visa required
14 Bangladesh Visa required prior to travel
15 Barbados No visa required
16 Belarus Visa for sixty days on arrival
17 Belgium No visa required
18 Belize No visa required
19 Benin Visa for sixty days on arrival
20 Bhutan Visa for sixty days on arrival
21 Bolivia Visa for sixty days on arrival
22 Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa for sixty days on arrival
23 Brazil No visa required
24 Brunei Darussalam No visa required
25 Bulgaria No visa required
26 Burkina Faso Visa for sixty days on arrival
27 Burundi No visa required
28 Cambodia Visa for sixty days on arrival
29 Cameroon Visa for sixty days on arrival
30 Canada No visa required
31 Cape Verde No visa required
32 Chile No visa required
33 China No visa required
34 Colombia Visa for sixty days on arrival
35 Comoros Visa for two weeks on arrival
36 Congo (Brazzaville) No visa required
37 Central African Republic Visa for sixty days on arrival
38 Democratic Republic of Congo No visa required
39 Costa Rica Visa for sixty days on arrival
40 Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Visa for sixty days on arrival
41 Croatia No visa required
42 Cuba Visa for sixty days on arrival
43 Cyprus No visa required
44 Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia) No visa required
45 Denmark No visa required
46 Djibouti Visa for sixty days on arrival
47 Dominica No visa required
48 Dominican Republic Visa for sixty days on arrival
49 Ecuador Visa for sixty days on arrival
50 Egypt No visa required
51 El Salvador Visa for sixty days on arrival
52 Equatorial Guinea Visa for sixty days on arrival
53 Eritrea Visa for sixty days on arrival
54 Estonia No visa required
55 Ethiopia Visa for sixty days on arrival
56 Fiji No visa required
57 Finland No visa required
58 France No visa required
59 Gabon No visa required
60 Gambia No visa required
61 Georgia Visa for sixty days on arrival
62 Germany No visa required
63 Ghana No visa required
64 Greece No visa required
65 Grenada No visa required
66 Guinea Visa for sixty days on arrival
67 Guinea-Bissau Visa for sixty days on arrival
68 Guatemala Visa for sixty days on arrival
69 Guyana No visa required
70 Haiti Visa for sixty days on arrival
71 Honduras Visa for sixty days on arrival
72 Hong Kong No visa required
73 Hungary No visa required
74 Iceland No visa required
75 India No visa required
76 Indonesia Visa required prior to travel
77 Iran Visa required prior to travel
78 Iraq Visa required prior to travel
79 Ireland No visa required
80 Israel No visa required
81 Italy No visa required
82 Jamaica No visa required
83 Japan No visa required
84 Jordan Visa for sixty days on arrival
85 Kazakhstan Visa for sixty days on arrival
86 Kenya No visa required
87 Kiribati No visa required
88 Korea (South Republic) No visa required
89 Korea (North) Visa is required prior to travel
90 Kuwait No visa required
91 Kyrgyzstan Rep. Visa for sixty days on arrival
92 Laos Visa required prior to travel
93 Latvia No visa required
94 Lesotho No visa required
95 Lebanon Visa for sixty days on arrival
96 Liberia Visa for sixty days
97 Libya Visa required prior to travel
98 Liechtenstein No visa required
99 Lithuania No visa required
100 Luxemburg No visa required
101 Macau SAR No visa required
102 Macedonia (ex Yugoslev Rep) Visa for sixty days on arrival
103 Madagascar Visa for two weeks on arrival
104 Malawi No visa required
105 Malaysia No visa required
106 Maldives No visa required
107 Mali Visa required prior to travel
108 Malta No visa required
109 Mauritania Visa for sixty days on arrival
110 Marshall Island Visa for sixty days on arrival
111 Mexico No visa required
112 Micronesia Visa for sixty days on arrival
113 Moldova Visa for sixty days on arrival
114 Monaco No visa required
115 Mongolia Visa for sixty days on arrival
116 Morocco Visa for sixty days on arrival
117 Mozambique No visa required
118 Myanmar (Burma) Visa for two weeks on arrival
119 Namibia No visa required
120 Nauru No visa required
121 Nepal Visa for sixty days on arrival
122 Netherlands No visa required
123 New Zealand No visa required
124 Nicaragua Visa for sixty days on arrival
125 Niger Visa for sixty days on arrival
126 Nigeria Visa for two weeks on arrival
127 Norway No visa required
128 Oman No visa required
129 Pakistan Visa required prior to travel
130 Palau Visa for sixty days on arrival
131 Palestinian State Visa required prior to travel
132 Panama Visa for sixty days on arrival
133 Papua New Guinea No visa required
134 Paraguay No visa required
135 Peru Visa for sixty days on arrival
136 Philippines* (See note 1) Visa required prior to travel
137 Poland No visa required
138 Portugal No visa required
139 Romania No visa required
140 Rwanda No visa required
141 Russian Federation (Russia) No visa required
142 Sahrawi Republic Visa required prior to travel
143 Samoa (Western) No visa required
144 San Marino No visa required
145 Sao Tome & Principe Visa for sixty days on arrival
146 Saudi Arabia No visa required
147 Senegal Visa for sixty days on arrival
148 Seychelles No visa required
149 Sierra Leone No visa required
150 Serbia Visa for sixty days on arrival
151 Singapore No visa required
152 Slovenia No visa required
153 Slovakia No visa required
154 Solomon Islands No visa required
155 Somalia Visa required prior to travel
156 South Africa No visa required
157 Spain No visa required
158 Sri Lanka* (See note 1) Visa required prior to travel
159 St Kitts and Nevis No visa required
160 St Lucia No visa required
161 St Vincent & Grenadines No visa required
162 Suriname No visa required
163 Sudan Visa required prior to travel
164 South Sudan Visa required prior to travel
165 Syria Visa required prior to travel
166 Swaziland No visa required
167 Sweden No visa required
168 Switzerland No visa required
169 Tajikistan Visa for sixty days on arrival
170 Taiwan Visa required prior to travel
171 Tanzania No visa required
172 Tchad No visa required
173 Thailand Visa for sixty days on arrival
174 Timor-Leste Visa for sixty days on arrival
175 Togo Visa for sixty days on arrival
176 Tonga No visa required
177 Trinidad & Tobago No visa required
178 Tunisia No visa required
179 Turkey No visa required
180 Turkmenistan Visa for sixty days on arrival
181 Tuvalu No visa required
182 Uganda No visa required
183 Ukraine Visa for sixty days on arrival
184 United Arab Emirates No visa required
185 United Kingdom No visa required
186 United States of America No visa required
187 Uzbekistan Visa for sixty days on arrival
188 Uruguay Visa for sixty days on arrival
189 Vanuatu No visa required
190 Vatican No visa required
191 Venezuela Visa for sixty days on arrival
192 Vietnam Visa required prior to travel
193 Yemen Visa required prior to travel
194 Yugoslavia (Serbia & Montenegro) Visa for sixty days on arrival
195 Zambia No visa required
196 Zimbabwe No visa required